******
The bell rang for dinner and Tasha showed Valencio the large dining room, four long tables. It was dark outside, and most of the helpers had gone. The meal was atrocious, unappealing, badly served. There was not a single complaint. Cafeteria style, and if they wanted to take knives out of the dining room, there was nothing at all to stop them. Valencio ate hungrily, to Tasha’s satisfaction. It was time he actually ate something again.
The Freign had a celebration of their own. Just a few days, and they had achieved a very great deal. There was no interference with the freed prisoners, and they had been amply supplied with food and drink, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
The ex-slaves’ party was riotous, a much needed release of tension, but hardly any stayed sober, and many became very drunk indeed. Few had any experience in social drinking, none older than eighteen when taken.
Prudently, Michael was stationed outside to make sure that none of the medj became lost on the way to bed. It was cold, and he donned a warm cape.
Valencio emerged from the castle, looked around blearily, and started staggering in altogether the wrong direction. Michael went to him, took his arm, and spoke to him, laughing. “Turn around, Valencio. Your place is over there.”
Valencio stopped and shook his head. Had someone drugged him? A Twilight Spell? Was he maybe not free after all? A knowledge seeped into him. Michael was a wizard, and he was trying to make him go in a direction he didn’t want to go. Taking him by surprise, he lashed out and Michael stumbled away, swearing, a hand over his eye.
Connie hurried over and grabbed Valencio by his arm, where he stood swaying, and looking threateningly still at Michael. Thierry grabbed his other arm and pulled him away, apologizing profusely to Michael. He’d attacked a wizard. The penalty was the Spell of Pain. They hurried him away and Michael got to his feet and decided never to touch Valencio again.
Connie and Thierry were bossy, Valencio never dreaming of arguing with the women. He lay down where he was told, found Tasha already asleep in bed, and asked, “Connie, are we free now?”
Connie said sternly, “Yes, but you’re not allowed to hit anyone.”
Valencio said innocently, “Of course not,” stroked Tasha, and closed his eyes, instantly asleep.